The Palestinian Hamas movement discussed a plan to move the wounded out of the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing at the Egypt border in exchange for the evacuation of foreigners from Palestinian territory. The deal, however, did not go forward, according to a Hamas representative who spoke on Al Hadath and attributed the collapse to interruptions by Israel. The representative noted that the arrangement would have allowed foreign nationals in Gaza to leave if injured Palestinians could be transferred from Rafah into Egypt for medical care abroad. The commentary underscored that the agreement failed when Israel did not honor the terms of the exchange, a claim echoed by Hamas officials during the broadcast. The speaker also urged international humanitarian bodies to press for a fully open Rafah crossing and called on the International Committee of the Red Cross and the World Health Organization to provide staff to accompany ambulances carrying injured Palestinians, ensuring safe and orderly evacuations. The statement highlighted the broader demand for safe passage at the border to facilitate critical medical care and relief operations, a topic that has drawn attention from humanitarian groups and foreign governments alike, as they assess the rights and protections afforded to civilians in conflict zones. In related developments, families of those taken hostage in the October 7 attack have seen the Israeli government’s stance as a barrier to a prisoner exchange, according to Hamas officials. Hamas had previously issued a cautious note that foreign hostages would be freed when conditions permit, a position that has continued to fuel negotiations and international concern about the fate of captives and the ongoing humanitarian needs in Gaza. The situation at Rafah remains a focal point for international diplomacy, humanitarian monitoring, and regional security assessments, with observers noting the potential implications for civilian access to aid and medical support. The exchange discussions illustrate the persistent tension between military operations and humanitarian corridors in crowded border areas, and they underscore how international actors are seeking to broker safe, predictable avenues for aid, evacuation, and relief in the Gaza Strip, even amid ongoing hostilities. Attribution: Al Hadath; corroborating perspectives from humanitarian agencies and regional analysts emphasize the need for credible access and clear, verifiable commitments on safe passage and medical evacuation.
